Why your bedroom carpet can be dirtier than a toilet — and how often you should vacuum

When cleaning your home, kitchen countertops and sinks can be your main focus while other surfaces may be overlooked.

Research by retailer ScS found that carpets and other floor coverings can be neglected during a cleaning session.

There were some top tips on how to ensure your carpets stay in tip-top shape.

The retailer conducted a swab test at various locations around the home and found varying levels of aerobic bacteria, yeast and mold particles.

It turned out that bedroom rugs and living room rugs topped the list for the dirtiest areas.

This compares to other areas like a gym floor, an office rug, and even a toilet seat.

Experts recommend weekly vacuuming to prevent dirt build-up in your carpets.

They recommend using a soft-bristled vacuum with strong suction for best results.

ScS’s Jack Ogden said: “Vacuuming is a fantastic way to stop the build-up of dirt and dust that can dull or damage the carpet over a long period of time.

“It’s best to vacuum your carpet at least once a week with soft bristles and strong suction to prolong the life of the fibers.”

He added: “For any sticky stains, wet mud for example, it’s best to use specialist carpet cleaning products to ensure you don’t apply anything too harsh to the surface and potentially cause more damage.

“For liquid based stains – use a clean cloth to soak up as much of the spill as possible. Do not scrub the stain as this will damage the fibers and push the stain further down. Instead, blot the stain until most of it is gone.

“If you use a specific cleaning product, remember to spray the product onto your cloth and not directly onto the carpet. Spraying the carpet will deepen the stain and encourage it to spread.”

To give carpets a complete refresh, Ogden recommends a more thorough cleaning every year.

He said: “If you want to keep your wool rug in top condition and remove dirt that has become embedded in the fibres, it is recommended that your rug be steam cleaned every 12 to 18 months.

“This can help extend the life of your carpet and keep it feeling soft and clean. If you steam your rug more regularly, you can damage the natural fibers of the wool.”